Potato cultivar FL1930

ABSTRACT

A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species  Solanum tuberosum,  designated FL1930, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1930, to the plants of potato variety FL1930, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL1930 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel potato variety and to thetubers, plants, plant parts, tissue culture and seeds produced by thatpotato variety.

The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate thebackground of the invention and, in particular cases, to provideadditional details respecting the practice, are incorporated byreference and for convenience, are referenced in the following text byauthor and date and are listed alphabetically by author in the appendedbibliography.

The potato is the world's fourth most important food crop and by far themost important vegetable. Potatoes are currently grown commercially innearly every state of the United States. Annual potato productionexceeds 18 million tons in the United States and 300 million tonsworldwide. The popularity of the potato derives mainly from itsversatility and nutritional value. Potatoes can be used fresh, frozen ordried, or can be processed into flour, starch or alcohol. They containcomplex carbohydrates and are rich in calcium, niacin and vitamin C.

To keep the potato industry growing to meet the needs of the consumingpublic, substantial research and development efforts are devoted to themodernization of planting and harvesting of fields and processing ofpotatoes, and to the development of economically advantageous potatovarieties. Through crossbreeding of potatoes, researchers hope to obtainpotatoes with the desirable characteristics of good processability, highsolids content, high yield, resistance to diseases and pests andadaptability to various growing areas and conditions.

The U.S. acreage planted in potatoes has declined since the 1960s and1970s, and this decline, coupled with increasing consumption, must beoffset by higher useable yields. In some areas, diseases and pestsdamage crops despite the use of herbicides and pesticides. The problemof the golden nematode in the United States, presently endemic toportions of New York State, is one example of the destruction tosusceptible potato varieties. Potato varieties with high yields, diseaseresistance and adaptability to new environments can eliminate manyproblems for the potato grower and provide more plentiful and economicalproducts to the consumers.

For the potato chip processing industry, potatoes having high solidscontent, disease resistance, good shipping qualities and good finishedchip color can increase production volumes and efficiencies and productacceptability. Potato varieties which yield low-solids tubers result inunnecessary energy usage during the frying process. Moreover, as solidscontent increases, the oil content of fried products decreases, which isa favorable improvement. Potato varieties in the warm southern tier ofstates are most in need of solids improvement overall, while thosevarieties grown and stored in the colder northern tier of states aremost in need of the ability to recondition after cool or cold storage toincrease their value for use in the potato chip industry. Reconditioningis necessary to elevate the temperature of the potatoes after coldstorage and before further processing.

The research leading to potato varieties which combine the advantageouscharacteristics referred to above is largely empirical. This researchrequires large investments of time, manpower, and money. The developmentof a potato cultivar can often take up to eight years or more fromgreenhouse to commercial usage. Breeding begins with careful selectionof superior parents to incorporate the most important characteristicsinto the progeny. Since all desired traits usually do not appear withjust one cross, breeding must be cumulative.

Present breeding techniques continue with the controlled pollination ofparental clones. Typically, pollen is collected in gelatin capsules forlater use in pollinating the female parents. Hybrid seeds are sown ingreenhouses, and tubers are harvested and retained from thousands ofindividual seedlings. The next year a single tuber from each resultingseedling is planted in the field, where extreme caution is exercised toavoid the spread of virus and diseases. From this first-year seedlingcrop, several “seed” tubers from each hybrid individual which survivedthe selection process are retained for the next year's planting. Afterthe second year, samples are taken for density measurements and frytests to determine the suitability of the tubers for commercial usage.Plants which have survived the selection process to this point are thenplanted at an expanded volume the third year for a more comprehensiveseries of fry tests and density determinations. At the fourth-year stageof development, surviving selections are subjected to field trials inseveral states to determine their adaptability to different growingconditions. Eventually, the varieties having superior qualities aretransferred to other farms and the seed increased to commercial scale.Generally, by this time, eight or more years of planting, harvesting andtesting have been invested in attempting to develop the new and improvedpotato cultivars.

Long-term, controlled-environment storage has been a feature of thenorthern, principal producing areas for many years. Potatoes harvestedby October must be kept in good condition for up to eight months intemperatures that may drop to −30 degrees C. at times and with very lowrelative humidity in the outside air. Storages are well insulated, notonly to prevent heat loss but also to prevent condensation on outsidewalls. The circulation of air at the required temperature and humidityis automatically controlled depending on the purpose for which thepotatoes are being stored. Sprout inhibition is now largely carried outin storage as it has been found to be more satisfactory than theapplication of maleic hydrazide (MH30) in the field.

Proper testing of new plants should detect any major faults andestablish the level of superiority or improvement over currentvarieties. In addition to showing superior performance, a new varietymust be compatible with industry standards or create a new market. Theintroduction of a new variety will increase costs of the tuberpropagator, the grower, processor and consumer; for special advertisingand marketing, altered tuber propagation and new product utilization.The testing preceding release of a new variety should take intoconsideration research and development costs as well as technicalsuperiority of the final variety. Once the varieties that give the bestperformance have been identified, the tuber can be propagatedindefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the variety parent ismaintained. For tuber propagated varieties, it must be feasible toproduce, store and process potatoes easily and economically.

Thus, there is a continuing need to develop potato cultivars whichprovide good processability out of storage, with minimal bruising, formanufacturers of potato chips and other potato products and to combinethis characteristic with the properties of disease resistance,resistance to pests. The present invention addresses this need byproviding the new variety as described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel potato cultivar ofthe genus and species, Solanum tuberosum, designated FL1930. Thisinvention thus relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1930, theplants and plant parts of potato variety FL1930 and to methods forproducing a potato plant produced by crossing the potato variety FL1930with itself or another potato variety. This invention further relates tohybrid potato seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato varietyFL1930 with another potato plant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for Single GeneConverted plants of FL1930. The single gene transferred may be adominant or recessive allele. Preferably, the single gene transferredwill confer such traits as herbicide resistance, insect resistance,resistance for bacterial, fungal or viral disease, uniformity andincrease in concentration of starch and other carbohydrates, decrease intendency of tuber to bruise and decrease in the rate of conversion ofstarch to sugars. The single gene transferred may be a naturallyoccurring gene or a transgene introduced through genetic engineeringtechniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A novel potato cultivar of the present invention, which has beendesignated FL1930, has been obtained by selectively crossbreedingparental clones through several generations. The immediate parents ofFL1930 were cultivars designated FL1850 and FL 1291. The variety FL1850was chosen as a breeding parent because of its excellent chip appearanceafter long periods in cold storage, its high solids and early maturity,and resistance to the “golden” cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensisRace Rol). Variety FL1291 was chosen as a breeding parent because of itshigh yields, and its potential for scab and bruise resistance.

As a chipping variety for fresh use, FL1930 is most similar to thevariety Atlantic. FL1930 can be distinguished from Atlantic with regardto the following traits: the color of the corolla inner and outersurface of FL1930 is darker than that of Atlantic, the anthers on FL1930are yellow-orange, while those of Atlantic are yellow according to theRoyal Horticultural Society (RHS) color chart, FL1930 has a pale yellowtuber flesh color whereas Atlantic has white, and the averageglycoalkaloid levels in FL1930 are 5.45 mg/100 g fresh tuber compared to9.9 mg/100 g in Atlantic. FL1930 matures earlier than Atlantic (110 DAPvs.115 DAP). Like Atlantic, FL1930 has weak stem and petiole anthocyanincoloration, a medium leaf silhouette, intermediate foliage density,semi-erect growth habit. FL 1930 and Atlantic have similar tuber skintextures, shape, and eye depth (though the distribution of tuber eyes isevenly distributed in FL1930, with medium-prominant tuber eybrows,compared to the primarily apical eye distribution and slight eybrowprominance of Atlantic), and similar terminal leaflet shape. FL1930 andAtlantic also have similarly high tuber specific gravities(1.080-1.089); high specific gravities are advantageous for chipping andother frying applications, as they reduce the total energy and timerequired for the frying operation. Like Atlantic, FL1930 is resistant togolden cyst nematode.

In addition to the specific gravity of the tubers of this invention,they also have an advantageous shape for commercial operations. Thetubers are generally round/oval in shape and have a size which is suitedto the manufacture of potato chips. On average, these tubers have a meanlength of 63.1 millimeters (range: 50-81 millimeters); a mean width of56.4 millimeters (range: 45-68 millimeters); and a mean thickness of46.7 millimeters (range: 40-57 millimeters) based upon a 100-tubersample. Of course, the size of the tubers can vary over a relativelywide range depending on growing conditions and locations. The slightlyflattened shape of the tubers is advantageous, because it facilitatesalignment in the slicing apparatus.

Field trials of FL1930 have proved it to have competitive solids, yieldequal to or higher than that of Atlantic, very low bruising potentialand a beautiful fresh chip appearance.

In addition to the morphological characteristics and disease and pestresistance as described above, the plants of this invention arecharacterized by their protein “fingerprint” patterns. The protein“fingerprint” is determined by separating tuber proteins on anelectrophoretic gel under certain defined conditions. The pattern of theproteins, attributable to their differential mobilities on theelectrophoretic gel, have been found to be characteristic of theparticular plant involved. This pattern has thus been termed a“fingerprint.” Isozyme fingerprints of all available North Americanpotato varieties have revealed that no two varieties have the samepattern for the enzymes tested. (Douches and Ludlam, 1991,“Electrophoretic characterization of North American Potato Cultivars,”Am. Potato J. 68:767-780). The isozyme fingerprint of FL1930 (Table I)has been established as unique among North American varieties. Thesetechniques generally involve extracting proteins from the tuber andseparating them electrophoretically.

TABLE I Isozyme electrophoresis fingerprints of FL1930 compared toAtlantic Variety Mdh-1 Mdh-2 Pgdh-3 Idh-1 Pgi-1 Aps-1 Got-1 Got-2 Pgm-1Pgm-2 Dia-1 Prx-1 Prx-3 Adh-1 Atlantic 2223 2223 1122 1112 2222 11114444 3555 1112 2223 1112 1144 — 2222 FL1930 2224 2222 1222 — 2222 — 33443355 1113 2223 — — 1111 — Procedures and allelic designation used areaccording to Douche, D.S. and K. Ludlam, 1991, “Electrophoreticcharacterization of North American Potato Cultivars,” Am. Potato J.68:767-780.

Potato variety FL1930 has the following morphologic and othercharacteristics.

VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION 1. uz,3/19 Classification: SolanumTuberosum L. 2. Plant characteristics: (Observed at beginning of bloom)Growth habit: Semi-erect (30°-45° with ground) Type: IntermediateMaturity (Days after planting - DAP): 110 Maturity Class: Early (100-110DAP) 3. Stem Characteristics: (Observed at early first bloom) Stem(anthocyanin coloration): Weak Stem (wings): Medium 4. LeafCharacteristics: (Observed fully developed leaves located in the middleone-third of plant): Leaf (color): Olive-green/137A RHS Leaf (pubescencedensity): Medium Leaf (silhouette): Medium Petioles (anthocyanincoloration): Weak Terminal leaflet (shape): Broadly ovate Terminalleaflet (shape of tip): Acuminate Terminal leaflet (shape of base):Cordate Terminal leaflet (margin waviness): Slight Primary leaflets(average pairs): 4 Primary leaflets (shape of tip): Acuminate Primaryleaflets (shape): Medium ovate Primary leaflets (shape of base): Cordate5. Inflorescence Characteristics: Corolla (shape): Rotate Corolla (innersurface color): Purple (78A RHS) Calyx (anthocyanin coloration): AbsentAnthers (shape): Pear-shaped cone Stigma (shape): Capitate Stigma(color): 137A RHS 6. Tuber Characteristics: Skin (predominant color):Tan Skin (texture): Rough (flaky) Tuber (shape): Round/oval Tuber(thickness): Medium Thick Tuber (length): 63.1 mm (average) Tuber(width): 56.4 mm (average) Tuber (thickness): 46.7 mm (average) Tubereyes (depth): Intermediate Tuber (primary flesh color): 160C RHS Tuber(prominence of eyebrows): Medium prominence 7. Reaction to Diseases:Bacterial ring rot, foliar reaction Susceptible Bacterial ring rot,tuber reaction Susceptible Potato Virus Y Moderately susceptible 8.Reaction to Pests: Golden nematode Globodera rostochiensis Resistant

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that when the termpotato plant is used in the context of the present invention, this alsoincludes derivative varieties that retain the essential distinguishingcharacteristics of FL1930, such as a Single Gene Converted plant of thatvariety or a transgenic derivative having one or more value-added genesincorporated therein (such as herbicide or pest resistance).Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the variety. The term backcrossing asused herein refers to the repeated crossing of a hybrid progeny back tothe recurrent parents. The parental potato plant which contributes thegene for the desired characteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donorparent. This terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parentis used one time in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur.The parental potato plant to which the gene or genes from thenonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent asit is used for several rounds in the backcrossing protocol. In a typicalbackcross protocol, the original variety of interest (recurrent parent)is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries thesingle gene of interest to be transferred. The resulting progeny fromthis cross are then crossed again to the recurrent parent and theprocess is repeated until a potato plant is obtained wherein essentiallyall of the desired morphological and physiological characteristics ofthe recurrent parent are recovered in the converted plant, in additionto the single gene transferred from the nonrecurrent parent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single gene of the recurrent variety ismodified, substituted or supplemented with the desired gene from thenonrecurrent parent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of thedesired genes, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross. One ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable, agronomicallyimportant trait to the plant. The exact backcrossing protocol willdepend on the characteristic or trait being altered or added todetermine an appropriate testing protocol. Although backcrossing methodsare simplified when the characteristic being transferred is a dominantallele, a recessive allele may also be transferred. In this instance, itmay be necessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if thedesired characteristic has been successfully transferred.

Likewise, transgenes can be introduced into the plant using any of avariety of established recombinant methods well-known to persons skilledin the art.

Many single gene traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new variety but that can beimproved by backcrossing and genetic engineering techniques. Single genetraits may or may not be transgenic, examples of these traits includebut are not limited to: herbicide resistance; resistance to bacterial,fungal or viral disease; insect resistance; uniformity or increase inconcentration of starch and other carbohydrates; enhanced nutritionalquality; decrease in tendency of tuber to bruise; and decrease in therate of starch conversion to sugars. These genes are generally inheritedthrough the nucleus. Several of these single gene traits are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,365, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,756, U.S. Pat. No.5,789,657, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,612, U.S. Pat.No. 5,510,253, U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,730, U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,429, U.S.Pat. No. 5,503,999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,249, U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,912,U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,533, U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,268, U.S. Pat. No.4,900,676, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,434 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,168, thedisclosures of which are specifically hereby incorporated by reference.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

A deposit of the Frito-Lay, Inc. proprietary potato cultivar FL1930microtubers disclosed above and recited in the appended claims has beenmade with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 UniversityBoulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110. The date of deposit was Sep. 11, 2002.The deposit was taken from the same deposit maintained by Frito-Lay,Inc. since prior to the filing date of this application. Allrestrictions upon the deposit have been removed, and the deposit isintended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. TheATCC accession number is PTA-4657. The deposit will be maintained in thedepository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request,or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and willbe replaced as necessary during that period.

What is claimed is:
 1. A potato tuber designated FL1930, representative microtubers having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-4657.
 2. A plant or its parts produced by growing the tuber of claim
 1. 3. Pollen of the plant of claim
 2. 4. An ovule of the plant of claim
 2. 5. A potato plant having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of claim
 2. 6. Tissue culture of the plant of claim
 2. 7. A potato plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 6, wherein said regenerated potato plant has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of FL1930.
 8. A potato seed produced by selfing the plant grown from the potato tuber of claim
 1. 9. A potato plant or its parts produced by growing the seed of claim
 8. 10. A potato plant regenerated from the tissue culture of the plant of claim 9, wherein said regenerated potato plant has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of FL1930.
 11. A method for producing an F1 hybrid seed comprising crossing a first potato plant with a second potato plant and harvesting the resultant F1 hybrid potato seed, wherein said first or second parent potato plant or both said first and second potato plant is the potato plant of claim
 2. 12. A method for producing an F1 hybrid seed comprising crossing a first potato plant with a second potato plant and harvesting the resultant F1 hybrid potato seed, wherein said first or second parent potato plant or both said first and second potato plant is the potato plant of claim
 9. 